IgA Nephropathy and Naturopathic Medicine

IgA nephropathy is a condition that is considered to be of unknown cause (“idiopathic” in medical terminology) that causes kidney damage. Over time, this condition often gets worse and ultimately the kidneys stop working very well (approximately 90% of patients ultimately develop some degree of kidney failure). The condition is common in North America.

Most often IgA nephropathy is detected incidentally in a routine urine test when blood or protein is found. Sometimes it is first noted after a cold or flu episode that leads to blood in the urine. Very rarely the condition starts out as acute failure of the kidneys.

Naturopathic medicine offers a unique ability to work with the totality of your situation. We can help you assess and monitor your condition, help figure out some of the possible underlying causes and treat those, as well as offering natural supportive and corrective treatments. We can work with and even prescribe most of your medications if necessary. We can work with your other providers to determine if some medications might not be needed or doses reduced.

What Causes IgA Nephropathy?

Many studies point to the fact that people with IgA nephropathy have allergic reactions to food (Kovacs, et al. 1996; Coppo, et al. 1991). A particular problem is a reaction to wheat, which is different than celiac disease (Almroth, et al. 2006; Laurent, et al. 1987).

Not all patients with IgA nephropathy have food allergies. However, it is critically important that this possibility be investigated and any problem foods removed to prevent the condition from progressing. The process of determining the foods that we use at Northwest Naturopathic Urology is called an elimination-challenge diet, but if for some reason that can’t be done then there are some much less reliable tests that can be done. Testing for antibodies to gliadin, the compound in wheat that most often triggers an allergic reaction damaging the kidneys, is usually done to help decide whether to remove wheat from the diet.

Another part of the problem that often underlies IgA nephropathy is known as leaky gut syndrome. In this case, food molecules are absorbed that shouldn’t be, which can trigger the reactions that damage the kidney. A simple urine test is done to determine if this is a problem and whether natural treatments such as glutamine are indicated to help fix the leakiness.

Other Natural Treatments

Several studies have shown that high-doses of fish oil can help decrease the severity of the disease (Hogg, et al. 2006). Most people who treat themselves use far too little to make a difference. We can help you figure out the optimal dose for your body size.

A number of herbal medicines have been used effectively in our practice to help prevent and even reverse some of the kidney damage that occurs in people with IgA nephropathy. Some of the most important herbs of this type include Lespedeza capitata (round-head lespedeza) leaf and flower, Rheum palmatum (rhubarb) root (used at a low-dose to prevent diarrhea), and Parietaria judaica (pellitory-of-the-wall) herb. These herbs are extremely safe. We generally develop an individualized herbal formula to address your condition and help protect your kidneys.

There are several natural therapies, including magnesium and the powerful herb Rauvolfia serpentina (Indian snakeroot), that can help us manage any high blood pressure you may have naturally, Sometimes this allows patients to avoid medications for blood pressure, and sometimes they are used in combination for optimal effects.

Some vitamins may also be helpful for your situation, though this requires analysis of your symptoms and how long you have had the condition to determine.

Does It Work?

In the past year we have had four IgA nephropathy in the past year (2009). Three of them had relatively mild or early disease, without symptoms other than protein or blood in the urine. Urine protein levels declined or became normal in all three after elimination-challenge diet and with high-dose fish oil and herbal medicines (and occasionally a couple of other supplements). No one has developed any complications attributable to treatment or IgA nephropathy.

One patient seen for the past seen initially in 2006 had severe disease (present for over 20 years, with high blood pressure and significantly reduce kidney function). She was able to maintain at a functional level for those entire three years until finally she had to go on dialysis. Conventional doctors all said there was nothing she could do but wait until she had to go on dialysis, then get a transplant. Though ultimately in her case this was not prevented, it was at least delayed significantly. Who knows what might have happened if she had seen a naturopathic doctor before the condition got completely out of control.

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